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By Philip Nwosu
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Army to strengthening strategic military cooperation with the South African Army to enhance regional security and professional military capacity across Africa.
General Shaibu made the pledge on Tuesday, while receiving the Chief of the South African Army, Lawrence Khulekani Mbatha, during an official working visit to the Army Headquarters Nigeria in Abuja.
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The Army Chief emphasised that closer collaboration among African militaries remains essential to addressing emerging and complex security challenges confronting the continent.
He highlighted the importance of joint training and operational knowledge-sharing in tackling terrorism and insurgency, particularly within Nigeria’s North-East theatre under Operation HADIN KAI.
Shaibu explained that the Nigerian Army has developed robust training frameworks aimed at equipping troops with modern combat skills to confront evolving threats, including the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by terrorist groups.
According to him, the Army has placed significant emphasis on specialised training in IED detection, counter-IED operations and battlefield survivability as part of its counter-terrorism strategy.
He noted that enhanced collaboration with the South African Army would further strengthen these training programmes and help build a more capable regional security architecture.
The COAS also disclosed that both armies were expanding cooperation in professional military education and capacity development.
He said Nigerian officers currently attend courses at the South African Defence College, while officers from the South African Army serve as directing staff and instructors at key Nigerian military institutions, including the Army War College Nigeria and the Armed Forces Command and Staff College.
Shaibu noted that such exchanges are aimed at strengthening institutional ties while improving operational knowledge and strategic leadership development.
In his remarks, Mbatha said his visit offered an opportunity for the South African Army to study Nigeria’s operational experience in combating terrorism and other asymmetric threats.
He acknowledged the Nigerian Army’s extensive battlefield experience and expressed interest in learning how Nigeria has structured its training and operational strategies to address evolving security challenges, particularly in countering the use of IEDs in insurgent warfare.
Both leaders also explored opportunities to expand technical cooperation in specialised areas, including military aviation.
Mbatha noted that the South African military possesses considerable expertise in aviation maintenance and pilot training, adding that stronger collaboration in the sector could support the Nigerian Army’s efforts to further develop its aviation capabilities.
The discussions ended with a commitment by both sides to sustain joint training, operational exchanges and technical cooperation, with the aim of strengthening military collaboration between Nigeria and South Africa while promoting stability and collective security across the African continent.
